System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster feels perfect on Steam Deck

The long-awaited global release of System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster by Nightdive Studios is now live across PC platforms. In a moment reminiscent of a full circle, I had a chat with Stephen Kick from Nightdive Studios about this release. You can read our interview here. Prior to today’s debut, I’ve been testing the Steam Deck version of System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster to evaluate its scalability, compare it to the original version, and more. Initially, I was planning to create a comprehensive comparison piece featuring the game on various Nintendo Switch systems. However, due to delays in the console versions, I’ve had to adjust my plans.

System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster PC port features and bonus content

In the 25th Anniversary Remaster of System Shock 2, you’ll find an amazing Vault mode loaded with concept art, the original pitch document, trailers, CD scans, scans from the official Prima Guide, interface assets, enemy artwork, pre-release screenshots across various months and years, the soundtrack, a Ken Levine interview, and more. Nightdive Studios has been impressing us with their bonus content, but let’s discuss the PC port itself. As of now, System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster isn’t available on consoles, so it’s hard to say what unique features it might have for PC users. However, it does come equipped with various multiplayer network options for voice chat and statistics tracking (like packets/second, ping), customizable keyboard + mouse and controller bindings with adjustable sensitivity settings, and a few video options.

System Shock 2 25th Anniversary Remaster graphics options

25th Anniversary Remaster of System Shock 2: Customize your gaming experience by adjusting various video settings such as window mode (fullscreen, windowed, borderless), screen resolution and refresh rate, enabling or disabling v-sync, choosing display device, selecting either DX11 or Vulkan video driver, limiting frame rate to preferred values like 30, 60, 90, 120, 165, 240, 500, or unlimited, and toggling effects such as anti-aliasing, ambient occlusion, bloom, and gamma adjustments. The Steam version offers an in-game achievements menu along with Steam Achievements for added convenience.

System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster Steam Deck impressions

As a devoted fan, I can confidently say that System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster performs flawlessly on the Steam Deck across both LCD and OLED screens. The game boasts 16:10 support, delivering an impressive visual experience. In terms of performance, my goal was to maintain a smooth 90fps at 90hz on the Steam Deck OLED and a steady 60fps at 60hz on the LCD model. The only instance where I encountered significant performance issues or lag was during swift scrolling through the Vault, which I believe was due to the game struggling to load numerous items in quick succession for the preview on the right side.

Playing with a controller feels seamless, but if you’re using the Steam Deck, consider making some adjustments to enhance your gaming experience.

System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster Steam Deck recommended settings

To enhance your gaming experience in System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster on Steam Deck, try using the trackpad as a mouse instead of the right stick for better precision aiming. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Press the Steam button while in-game to open the controller settings.
2. Select ‘Edit Layout’.
3. Choose “As Mouse” for Right Trackpad Behavior.
4. Click on the gear symbol next to this option to adjust the sensitivity and scale.
– I found setting it to 250% provided an optimal experience, but you may want to experiment with different settings.
5. If you’re unsure about the best sensitivity level, I suggest testing out various options while in the tutorial section of the game.

If you’d prefer not to rely on the trackpad, consider adjusting the controller sensitivity and deadzones for a smoother gaming experience. While these settings aren’t absolutely necessary as System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster works well on Steam Deck out of the box, they can significantly enhance your gameplay.

System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster vs classic on Steam Deck

The primary reason for playing the 25th Anniversary Remaster of System Shock 2 over its classic version on Steam Deck is the enhanced controller support and a user-friendly interface designed for controller input. Although there are numerous community layouts that make the original System Shock 2 playable on Steam Deck, I prefer the feel of the remastered version due to its optimized performance on the device.

System Shock 2 classic vs 25th Anniversary Remaster visuals

System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster multiplayer on Steam Deck

At first, I encountered difficulties setting up multiplayer with a friend on Steam Deck, leading me to suspect issues specific to this device. The same problem occurred on ROG Ally. Fortunately, I managed to successfully join and exit a multiplayer session with Adam, who was using his PC. Despite being located on different continents, the online functionality performed exceptionally well.

However, there seem to be some peculiarities regarding how the game saves and pauses, and I’m unsure about its balance. Regardless, the online mode operates smoothly, even on Steam Deck. Notably, the on-screen keyboard for text input appears correctly, and load times are swift. I look forward to sharing more comprehensive thoughts on the multiplayer experience once the game becomes available to a full room of four players upon its release.

System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster on ROG Ally

25th Anniversary Remaster operates smoothly on the ROG Ally, even reaching up to 120 frames per second without any issues. However, one minor inconvenience is that there’s no automated method for a keyboard to appear as it does on the Steam Deck during text entry. I plan to test the game further on the Nintendo Switch version and create a comprehensive comparison feature focusing on handheld usage once I have access to it.

25th Anniversary Edition of System Shock 2 has just been released on PC (via Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store). The game is set to arrive in the first fortnight of July for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

2025-06-26 14:56